Embracing vocation of marriage
Belinda Maric and Andreas Fusco
When Belinda Maric married Andreas Fusco in St Patrick’s Church in May it was a wonderful celebration with friends and family but above all, it was the couple answering their call to the vocation of marriage.
“It can sound cliché but it felt like the natural progression for us,” said Belinda, who is coordinator of Events and Special Projects for the Archdiocese.
“We felt called to taking the next step in our relationship, which for us meant marriage. Just like any vocation, it comes with a process of discernment supported by those around you.
“We have a deep sense of conviction and commitment to the vocation of marriage and we are prepared for whatever becomes a part of the journey, always keeping God at the centre.”
In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis writes: ‘Marriage is a vocation, in as much as it is a response to a specific call to experience conjugal love as an imperfect sign of the love between Christ and the Church. Consequently, the decision to marry and to have a family ought to be the fruit of a process of vocational discernment (no. 72).’
For high school sweethearts Belinda and Andreas their faith has been central to their nine-year relationship and there was never any question they would celebrate a sacramental marriage. To prepare they attended marriage preparation classes offered through Centacare Catholic Family Services.
“They helped us recognise how far we had come, what had changed in all those years and what the next step of marriage looked like for us. We learnt what was most important to each of us individually and equally, what was most important to us as a couple as we prepare for the vocation of marriage,” Belinda said.
“It taught us to expect the unexpected, to not fear the challenges that come our way, to live in the little moments and most importantly, communicate openly.”
Andreas added that during their preparation for marriage they received a “lot of advice”.
“One piece of advice we got along the way that stuck out to us was that your husband/wife should be someone that makes you want to be more, to be better, to inspire you.
“For us, this journey has really made us dig deep and understand what had kept us together for so many years and what we most look forward to. How we can lift each other up always and support the other, no matter what.”
They said getting married in the Church gave them a “certainty” and provided a new opportunity of “deepened faith and relationship with God”.
Currently enjoying their delayed honeymoon, the couple has settled into a new home and are looking forward to the “adventure ahead”.
“We have many hopes and plans for our future however, we’re just going to let life play out for a little while. God will always remain at the centre and is part of our everyday journey.